Nine's digital boss Alex Parsons exits after 11 years

Nine's chief digital officer Alex Parsons is leaving the business after more than a decade at the network, including the past three years leading Nine's digital operations.

In a statement, Parsons said he was leaving to pursue a new challenge after leading the transformation from the Mi9 joint venture with Microsoft to a standalone digital business, Nine Digital.

This included launching the women's network 9Honey, the commercial news website nine.com.au and the broadcast video on demand platform 9Now.

“After an amazing experience working with the most passionate media folks in Australia here at Nine it’s time for a new challenge,” Parsons said.

“I’m immensely proud of everything my team has achieved, particularly in getting nine.com.au back to the top of the commercial news rankings, launching the 9Honey women’s network, launching 9Now and developing our data asset which now has more than four million subscribers.

“I’m confident that I’m leaving the digital business in good shape and that it will continue to be a key player in the Australian digital landscape for years to come.”

Nine's CEO Hugh Marks paid tribute to Parsons' contribution and revealed that his role will not be replaced on a like-for-like basis.

“He has been a key player in the Nine management team for a number of years and over the past three years has been a driving force in shaping not just the digital business of our future, but our overall business of the future," Marks said.

"I would like to thank him for his time and energy.”

During his 11 years with the business, Parsons has held various senior roles including CEO of RateCity, managing director of Ninemsn and director of Nine subsidiaries Pedestrian TV and CarAdvice.

Instead of seeking a new CDO, some of Nine's key executives will take on additional responsibilities and new reporting lines.

Head of lifestyle Helen McCabe will take on the new title of digital content director, reporting to Marks. Director of content and commercial strategy Anna Quinn will now report to McCabe.

Niamh Collins, general manager of video (including 9Now) will report into director of television Michael Healey.

Director of business strategy and operations Christiaan Rutten will take on the new title digital chief operating officer and report to CFO Greg Barnes. Chief information officer Mat Yelavich will also report Barnes.

Parsons will leave Nine at the end of the month.

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